“It’s actually kind of easy. It will take a while to set up a simple computer program, but one of the teams at the Alliance can start sorting through all the data we already have on hand, and then we can narrow the list to cross check. You guys eat, I’ll make a quick call.” Gabe picks up his laptop and disappears into Noah’s office, shutting the door behind him.
Like Gabe said, he does make a quick call, rejoining us even before I’ve started my first beer. Each bite I take, sip, or laugh, it still feels like there’s something important missing. Because there is, and always will be.
“Now that we’re all back here and things are settling down, I’d like to start figuring out where we go next,” I say, stabbing one of the cheese cubes left on Noah’s plate, much to his disgust. I nudge him with my shoulder, reminding him we’ve shared more than food. He catches himself and my fork, spearing another cube for me.
“Where do you want to go?” he asks.
“Home.”
Lincoln smiles, and then excuses himself from the room, coming back with a large, thick white file. A red bow sits around it. Valak reaches over and picks my plate up, and Lincoln slides his hand over my shoulder, pulling me back against his chest as he lays the file in front of me.
“Dove, our ‘packing’ was done in a rush, none of us got the chance before our first heat to woo and proposition our omega. But since we have the time now each of us will be spoiling you with heat gifts.”
I look up to him, shocked, before I swing a look at each of them. The other three are looking as cocky as Lincoln is. “I don’t need anything.”
“That’s true. You don’t. But we still want to give you these. It’s an important step in bonding that we had to miss, but now we don’t. Alphas trying to impress their omegas were around in books my mother used to read,” Lincoln says, rubbing my thigh. “This is mine. I hope you like it.” He leans down and kisses me on the back of my shoulder. “And sorry, dove, it’s both a work in progress and non-returnable.”
“Open it, open it, open it,” Gabe chants, sipping on his beer, looking wicked in his grey sweats and matching hoodie.
“Do you know what it is?”
“Len, of course I fucking do. And no matter how good you suck dick, I am not telling you. You can try persuading me though. I’m always open for that.”
I laugh at him, actually, everyone does. Tugging the ribbons, the bow falls open and a small card gets released.
Dove, being yours is my biggest
achievement. xxx L
Lifting the card out, my finger rubs over his words.
“This is all I need, Lincoln.” I shake my head, looking up at him. Touched. Really fucking touched by his words that are so him; I can read the words and hear his voice in my head.
“Then do me the honour of accepting my heat gift.”
He cuddles behind me, the warmth of his body on mine, his smell so thick it fills my nose so it’s like I’ve opened a fresh bottle of gin. I can’t even remember the last gift I opened from someone besides Bailey, a thrill of excitement obliterating any weird feelings I have about accepting a gift.
The card and ribbon stay in my hand, it’s a part of something Lincoln gave me. Without a doubt I’ll be putting them in the memories box I have in my nest to keep forever. Opening the file, because that’s exactly what it is, the first few words don’t make sense. Until I reread them again.
I swing around on my seat. “Oh my god, you did not!”
Lincoln smiles, leaning down to kiss the stunned shock off my lips. “I did. I did it with the blessing of the rest of our pack because it impacts them also. But I most certainly did buy your neighbour’s property.”
I point back at the file. “And their neighbour’s by the looks.”
Lincoln’s botanical scents wrap all around me, and when he snuggles up, resting his chin on my shoulder, he wraps his arms around me too. His voice betrays his happiness. “If you want to get technical, I bought their neighbour’s also. I’ve also floated the concept past everyone who owns a part of Scarfe Island, and they have all jumped in on the opportunity. Our rather large piece of paradise lies smack bang in the middle of everyone else’s. The island’s security firm is already on site seeing how they can install and manage a similar concept to what we have established.”
“How did you do all this?”
“I’d do all this, and more, to keep you safe. No one will ever invade your sanctuary again.”
“Lincoln,” I whisper out, my attention drawn to him and the file. The words I read are easy to understand, harder to process.
“The contractor’s first task has been the removal of the rear fence and making space for a pool,” he says factually, squeezing me when my scent and emotions spike.
“When can we leave?” I ask, losing all pretence of being anything but excited.
“We’re waiting on you to tell us, dove,” Lincoln says, reaching over for his beer, all relaxed and beautiful.
